A FORMER headteacher who has spent his retirement indulging his passion for history has published his third novel.

John Hughes, who was the head of Llanidloes High School for 26 years, has penned a new book, The Lost Welsh Kingdom, set in a turbulent age in Wales’ past, which seeks to explo­re the role of Welsh women in the Middle Ages.

Written from the female perspective, The Lost Welsh Kingdom is set immediately before the Norman inv­asion of England, during the reign of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (1039-63), when Wales was an independent kingdom with its own king and queen.

The novel follows the life and times of young Elen, whose life – against her will – becomes embroiled with that of this most powerful of Welsh kings at his capital in Rhuddlan.

“The novel attempts to make history more interesting,” said Mr Hughes.

But this was not his only incentive. “I wanted to explore the role of women and the lamentable lack of information about Welsh women in the Middle Ages,” he said.

A native of Llanrug, Mr Hughes studied chemistry at University College of Wales, Cardiff, before earning a PhD.

Since retiring after 26 years at Llanidloes High, Mr Hughes has written three historical novels, the first two being Glyndwr’s Daughter in 2012, and two years later Llywelyn.